Acupuncture is part of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) that has been practiced in the Far East for thousands of years. The philosophy behind TCM is that our health is dependent upon energy or "chi" flowing in a smooth and balanced way around the body. The chi is contained within energy lines or meridians that circulate around the body. If the chi is disturbed or impaired, imbalance is caused and illness occurs. With the insertion of fine needles at various points on the meridian, the energy can be moved or redirected to where it is needed most. In this way the body's balance can be restored and the illness resolved.
The flow of energy can be disrupted in many ways; emotional upset, physical trauma, poor diet or overwork are all common examples. By examining this underlying cause and how it has affected the body, the most appropriate treatment for the patient can be selected. Treating the patient as an individual is at the core of the acupuncture treatment, and it is this that helps allow the body to rebalance itself.
Today, acupuncture is an effective, natural and increasingly popular form of health care that is being used by a broad range of people. Although sometimes thought of merely as a means of pain relief, traditional acupuncture is actually used to treat people with a wide range of illnesses. Its focus is on improving the overall well-being of the patient, and addresses the cause of any disharmony as well as treating specific symptoms.
Treatment involves the insertion of fine stainless steel needles into the body surface at vital points. Using sterilised disposable needles, the treatment is virtually painless. The acupuncture treatment can include the use of Electro-stimulation of the points used. A treatment session varies from 20 to 45 minutes. It can produce rapid results but more often it requires a number of treatments over a period of time. An acupuncturist not only pays attention to the presenting signs and symptoms of the patient, but also to the medical history, general constitution and the pulse and tongue.
The main objectives of acupuncture are:
Recover the equilibrium between the physical, emotional and spiritual aspects of the individual
Relieve pain and other related symptoms
Strengthen the human body immune system
Revitalise, balance and harmonise the functions of our body's organs with each other, creating a healthy vibrant human body
Acupuncture is known to treat a wide range of conditions: Headaches & migraines
Cardiovascular disorders such as high or low blood pressure, fluid retention, angina pectoris, poor circulation, and muscle cramps
Respiratory conditions such as bronchial asthma, acute and chronic bronchitis, acute tonsillitis, rhinitis, sinusitis, hay fever, chronic cough, laryngitis, sore throat, influenza and the common cold
Digestive system disorders such as Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), diarrhoea, constipation, ulcers
Gynaecological disorders such as PMS, painful, heavy, irregular, or absence of periods, hormonal disturbances, menopausal symptoms, difficulty with conception
Skin conditions such as eczema, dermatitis, psoriasis
Low energy, fatigue, M.E., poor immune function
Stress related conditions such as insomnia
Depression, anxiety and mood swings
Musculoskeletal disorders such as osteoarthritis, sciatica, lumbago, weak back, low back pain, rheumatoid arthritis, gout, shoulder and neck pain, "frozen shoulder", and "tennis elbow"
